MediaWorks' senior management is undertaking a review of Campbell Live.
Led by the Group Head of News Mark Jennings, the review comes as part of the broader review of the business by the MediaWorks executive.
The company has dismissed ongoing speculation the Jono and Ben show is being considered as a possible replacement. In a statement, MediaWorks said the speculation appears to be based on a fabrication by The New Zealand Herald and has unfairly led to significant negativity towards the show's hosts Jono Pryor, Ben Boyce and the rest of the Jono and Ben team.
"The statement in John Drinnan's articles in relation to the Jono and Ben show, which is attributed to 'TV3 bosses', is a complete fabrication and is not based on fact," said MediaWorks corporate counsel Alex Nicholson.
"Jono and Ben has never once been mentioned in any MediaWorks management forum, discussion or document as a possible replacement for Campbell Live."
Jennings said Campbell Live is one of the mainstays of New Zealand media and has been at the forefront of New Zealand's current affairs landscape for a decade.
"John Campbell and Campbell Live have won every award possible, broken some of the most important stories of the decade, repeatedly been voted most popular current affairs presenter and programme and made a real difference to Kiwis' lives."
Jennings said viewer expectations are quite different from those of 2005.
"We need to constantly review our programming to ensure we are meeting those expectations."
The review is being undertaken to improve commercial performance of the 7pm TV3 timeslot in a changing television market.
Jennings said it is not a reflection of the quality of the programme, or the work of Campbell, or any of the journalists or producers in the Campbell Live team.
No specific timeframe has been given for the review, but a period of consultation with all staff who work on the show has now commenced.
Source: 3 News
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